She has done what she could;
she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial.
—Mark 14.8
From a lectionary reading for Passion/Palm Sunday: Mark 14.1-15.47
Reflection for Saturday, March 31 (Day 34 of Lent)
She comes to the table. She comes from beyond the boundaries. She comes as if she belongs. She comes as if her whole life has been distilled into this one gesture that she offers: lifting, breaking, pouring. She comes with no words, yet with her entire being she proclaims a message both prophetic and priestly as she ministers to Jesus just days before his death.
Several nights ago, at a Lenten service at my home church of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Florida, I preached about this woman who offers her extravagant gift to Christ. As we reflected on this story, I shared with the congregation about what a significant companion and teacher this woman has been for me, particularly in my ministry as an artist in the church. We in the church often think of acts of beauty and grace as somehow separate from—and less important than—acts of justice and caring for others. Like Jesus’ dining companions that day, we tend to think of what is creative and artful as a luxury, as tangential, as wasteful.
Yet this woman’s graceful gesture—and Jesus’ grateful receiving of it—dispels such a notion. This story impresses upon us how beauty and justice are not separate from one another but are each part of our response to the Christ who offers himself to us with extravagant love and grace, and who calls us to offer bread and beauty from the same hand.
As we reflected on this woman’s lavish gift that ministered to Jesus’ deepest need, I shared a question I want to share with you. It’s a question inspired by Macrina Wiederkehr’s reflection on this story in her book Seasons of Your Heart:
What are you willing to waste on Jesus?
Blessing of Balm
When we see
the body of Christ
still broken in this world,
may we meet it
with lavish grace
and pour ourselves out
with extravagant love.
—Jan Richardson
[To use the image “Anointed,” please visit this page at janrichardsonimages.com. Your use of janrichardsonimages.com helps make the ministry of The Painted Prayerbook possible. Thank you!]
April 1, 2012 at 6:51 PM |
Jan, what a glorious and priceless gift you have given all of us on our Lenten journey. I open each email and let the artwork pour over me first. Then I read your reflection for the day. You have taken us all on a journey. Thank you thank you thank you! Peace during Holy Week and always. Sue
April 3, 2012 at 9:32 PM |
Thank you, dear Sue! I so appreciate your words and sharing the Lenten path together. Bless you bless you bless you! A wondrous Holy Week to you, sister.